Measurement instrument

ABSTRACT

A measurement instrument reads information on the guarantee number-of-measurements issued depending on the payment of purchased consumables from a magnetic card ( 21 ), stores the information in a guarantee number of measurements storage unit ( 31 ), stores the actual number of measurements in a number of measurements storage unit ( 32 ), stores the remainder of subtraction of the actual number of measurements stored in the number of measurements storage unit ( 32 ) from the guarantee number of measurements stored in the guarantee number of measurements storage unit ( 31 ) in a remainder storage unit ( 33 ). When the remainder reaches a predetermined value, the measurement instrument outputs a message to invite to purchase a new magnetic card to a display unit ( 4 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a measurement instrument formeasuring components in a specimen such as blood.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In recent years, in a medical institution such as a hospital, amethod of introducing a specimen examination instrument, etc. bypurchase has been shifted to a method referred to as “instrumentleaseand system sale” of introducing a specimen examination instrumentby lease. In the latter method, reagents and consumables are sold at aprice including a lease charge for the specimen examination instrument.Auser makes a promise to purchase a certain amount of reagents orconsumables during a certain number of measurements or during a certainperiod.

[0003] As compared with a conventional method in which a user purchasesa specimen examination instrument, there is a merit that a medicalinstitution can introduce a specimen examination instrument easilybecause the medical institution is not charged at one time forpurchasing the instrument, and further because the instrument does notbelong to the assets of the medical institution, so that the burdenimposed on the medical institution that introduces the instrument isreduced.

[0004] However, in the case where the reagents or consumables becomeunusable before the assumed period or assumed number of measurements,the user of the instrument has to purchase reagents or consumables.Consequently, in fact, the user has to pay an extra lease charge for theinstrument.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a measurementinstrument in which a number of measurements is sold and the number ofselling thereof is managed unlike conventionally selling reagents orconsumables at a price including a lease charge of a specimenexamination instrument.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the measurementinstrument according to the present invention includes a guaranteenumber storage unit for storing a guarantee number of measurementsissued in accordance with a charge of reagents or consumables purchasedor contracted to purchase; a measurements number storage unit forstoring a number of executed measurements; a remainder storage unit forstoring a value, as a remainder, obtained by subtracting the number ofmeasurements stored in the measurements number storage unit from theguarantee number of measurements stored in the guarantee number storageunit; and an update request unit for outputting a request to update theguarantee number of measurements when it is detected that the remainderstored in the remainder storage unit reaches a predetermined value.

[0007] According to the above-mentioned configuration, when the numberof the executed measurements reaches the guarantee number ofmeasurements, the measurement instrument outputs a message, etc.requesting to update the guarantee number of measurements (that is, topurchase or to contract to purchase reagents or consumables). Thus, theuser of the measurement instrument may add reagents or consumables inaccordance with the used state of the measurement instrument, thereforethe user does not have to pay excess charges. Furthermore, the providerof the measurement instrument has an advantage that it is possible torealize a stable profit because reagents or consumables continuously arepurchased by a user of the measurement instrument.

[0008] It is preferable that the measurement instrument further includesa replacement request unit for outputting a replacement request forreplacement of reagents or consumables when an abnormality caused by thereagents or consumables is detected.

[0009] According to the above-mentioned configuration, in the case wherean abnormality occurring in the measurement instrument is detected andthe abnormality is caused by the reagents or consumables, it is possibleto request the provider of the measurement instrument to replacereagents or consumables. In such a case, for example, the provider mayrespond to the request for replacement of reagents or consumables at nocharge. Thus, it is possible to improve the service to the user of themeasurement instrument.

[0010] It is preferable that the measurement instrument is connected toan information processing device of a procurement source of the reagentsor consumables via a communication line, and the replacement request issent to the information processing device via the communication line.

[0011] According to the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible tosend a request for replacement of reagents or consumables to theprovider via the communication line. Therefore it is possible to refillreagent or consumables promptly.

[0012] Furthermore, the method for billing a user of a measurementinstrument includes: issuing a guarantee number of measurements inaccordance with the charge of reagents or consumables purchased orcontracted to purchase, and allowing the issued guarantee number ofmeasurements to be stored in the measurement instrument; allowing avalue obtained by subtracting the number of measurements executed by themeasurement instrument from the guarantee number of measurements as aremainder to be stored in the measurement instrument; and outputting therequest to update the guarantee number of measurements when theremainder reaches the predetermined value.

[0013] Thus, since the user of the measurement instrument mayadditionally purchase reagents or consumables in accordance with theused state of the measurement instrument, the user does not have to payexcess charge. Furthermore, the provider of the measurement instrumenthas an advantage that it is possible to realize a stable profit becausereagents or consumables continuously are purchased by a user of themeasurement instrument.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is an external view showing a measurement instrumentaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of themeasurement instrument.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an operation of the measurementinstrument.

[0017]FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an operation in the case where anabnormality occurs in the measurement instrument.

[0018]FIG. 5 is a view to explain a method for predicting the lifetimeof consumables used in the measurement instrument.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will beexplained with reference to the drawings.

[0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external view of ameasurement instrument according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. The measurement instrument according to the embodiment is anautomatic glycohemoglobin measurement instrument for measuring theconcentration of glycohemoglobin in blood by high performance liquidchromatography.

[0021] A medical institution that is a user of the automaticglycohemoglobin measurement instrument according to the embodiment isprovided with a measurement instrument from a provider of themeasurement instrument on the condition that the medical institutionpurchases six/year or more of magnetic cards in which information on theguarantee of 2000 measurements is written. The purchase price of themagnetic card covers a guarantee for the number of measurements ofreagents such as a column or an eluent etc., or consumables.

[0022] When the medical institution purchases a magnetic card in whichinformation on the guarantee of 2000 measurements is recorded, it isprovided with a column together with this magnetic card from themeasurement instrument provider. The medical institution attaches theprovided column to the inside of a constant temperature bath 1 as shownin FIG. 1 and inserts the provided magnetic card 21 into a magnetic cardreader 22.

[0023] Hereinafter, an internal configuration and operation of themeasurement instrument of the embodiment will be explained withreference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the measurement instrument includes a CPU 3,a measuring unit 5, an external communication unit 6, a guarantee numberstorage unit 31, a measurements number storage unit 32 and a remainderstorage unit 33.

[0025] The CPU 3 controls an entire operation of the measurementinstrument. The measuring unit 5 controls the measurement of theconcentration of glycohemoglobin in blood by high performance liquidchromatography using the column. The external communication unit 6performs a communication with an external device via a network such asthe Internet, etc.

[0026] The CPU 3 allows the magnetic card reader 22 to read out theinformation on the guarantee of 2000 measurements recorded in themagnetic card 21 and stores the read out information on the guarantee ofmeasurements into the guarantee number storage unit 31 (step S1).

[0027] The CPU 3 obtains the measurement information from the measuringunit 5 when the measuring unit 5 executes the measurement ofglycohemoglobin (when the result of the step S2 is Yes), and adds 1 tothe number of measurements stored in the measurements number storageunit 32 (step S3) and at the same time stores a value (remainder)obtained by subtracting the number of measurements stored in themeasurements number storage unit 32 from “2000” that is a number storedin the guarantee number storage unit 31 into the remainder storage unit33 (step S4).

[0028] After the measurement instrument repeats measurements, and whenthe remainder stored in the remainder storage unit 33 becomes “0” (whenthe result of the step S5 is Yes), the CPU 3 judges that measurementscorresponding to the guarantee number of measurements were carried outand displays a message indicating “Number of measurements is finished.Please purchase a new magnetic card” on a display unit 4 (step S6).

[0029] Note here that the timing for displaying a message to urge a userto purchase a new magnetic card is not limited to the time when theremainder becomes “0” and may be the time when the remainder reaches apredetermined value. Furthermore, a configuration may be employed inwhich the timing for displaying the message is adjusted for eachmeasurement instrument.

[0030] When an abnormality occurs during measurement, etc., themeasuring unit 5 sends information on the abnormality to the CPU 3. TheCPU 3 analyzes the information on the abnormality and examines the causeof the abnormality. For example, when the half-width of the absorbancepattern of the measurement data becomes a predetermined value or more,etc., it can be judged that a column has deteriorated. The half-width ofthe absorbance pattern means the width of the pattern at the locationcorresponding to half the peak value of the absorbance. The CPU 3produces information for requesting for replacement of the column with anew one when an abnormality occurs in the measurement instrument due tothe deterioration of the column before the remainder stored in theremainder storage unit 33 becomes 0.

[0031] When the CPU 3 produces the information for requesting thereplacement, the display unit 4 displays a message indicating “Anabnormality occurs in the column within the guarantee number ofmeasurements.” When this message is displayed, the medical institutionmakes a contact with the measurement instrument provider so as torequest the replacement of columns.

[0032] The measurement instrument of the embodiment includes an externalcommunication unit 6 capable of communicating with a server (not shown)of the measurement instrument provider via a communication medium suchas the Internet, etc. When the CPU 3 produces information for requestingthe replacement, the CPU 3 is connected to the server of the measurementinstrument provider via the external communication unit 6 and reportsthat an abnormality occurs in the column within the guarantee number ofmeasurements. Thus, the measurement instrument provider can understandpromptly that an abnormality occurs in the measurement instrument andreagents or consumables need to be replaced or refilled. Therefore, itis possible to minimize the influence caused by stopping the operationof the measurement instrument. Furthermore, for medical institutions, itis advantageous to eliminate the time and labor for making a contact,for example, making a telephone call, etc. to the measurement provider.

[0033] Note here that as the preferable embodiment of the presentinvention, in the case where the replacement of the columns, etc. iscarried out when an abnormality occurs in the measurement instrument,the user is allowed to select either the following (1) or (2) bycomparing the remainder stored in the remainder storage unit 33 with thelifetime of the replaced column: that is, (1) to purchase a new columnafter the remainder is used up; or (2) to pay an additional charge forcontinuous use of the replaced column beyond the present remainder andto update the remainder in accordance with the paid charges.

[0034] In this case, the CPU 3 operates as shown in FIG. 4.

[0035] The CPU 3 receives the information on an abnormality from themeasuring unit 5, analyzes the information on an abnormality andexamines the cause of the abnormality (step S11).

[0036] When it is judged that the abnormality is caused by reagents orconsumables, the CPU 3 outputs information for requesting thereplacement (step S12). The display unit 4 receives the information forrequesting the replacement and displays a message indicating “Anabnormality occurs in the column within the guarantee number ofmeasurements.”

[0037] When this message is output, for example, the medical institutionrequests the measurement instrument provider to dispatch a maintenancestaff for replacement of the column. Then, the maintenance staffreplaces the column with a new one. When the columns are replaced, theCPU 3 predicts the number of possible measurements by the replacedcolumn (lifetime) (step S13).

[0038] The prediction of the lifetime of the column in step S13 can becarried out by, for example, the following method. In the case of liquidchromatography, the width of the absorbance pattern is varied inaccordance with the deterioration degree of the column. For example, inthe case of a chromatogram shown in FIG. 5, it is known that thehalf-width of the absorbance of hemoglobin A1c that is a component to bemeasured is gradually increased in accordance with the deterioration ofthe column. The half width of the absorbance means the width of thepattern at the location corresponding to half the peak value of theabsorbance (w in FIG. 5). Therefore, the CPU 3 can predict the number ofmeasurements that can be carried out in the future by using the replacedcolumn (number of possible measurements).

[0039] The CPU 3 judges the necessity of updating the information on theguarantee number of measurements by comparing the number of possiblemeasurements predicted in step S13 with the remainder stored in theremainder storage unit 33 (step S14). For example, in the case where theremainder is “1000” while the predicted number of possible measurementsis “1100,” it is predicted that 100 more measurements can be carried outafter the remainder is used up. However, by considering the measurementaccuracy etc., it seems to be advantageous for a medical institution,that is, a user of the measurement instrument to purchase a new columnafter the remainder is used up. On the other hand, for example, in thecase where the remainder is “100” while the predicted number of possiblemeasurements is “1800,” when the remainder is used up, it is predictedthat 1700 more measurements can be carried out. In this case, it isadvantageous for a medical institution to pay for, for example, chargefor 1700 measurements and to update information on the guarantee numberof measurements because the replaced column is not wasted. Note herethat in the step S14, as to the method for judging whether or not theinformation on the guarantee number of measurements is updated,arbitrary embodiments are possible by considering various factorsincluding kinds of measurement instruments and frequency of use, therelationship between the deterioration degree of reagents or consumablesto be replaced and the measurement accuracy, etc.

[0040] The CPU 3 displays a message on a display unit 4, indicating thata user can use the replaced column to the end by paying an additionalcharge when it is judged that the information on the guarantee number ofmeasurements should be updated (when the result of step S14 is Yes)(step S15).

[0041] Herein, if the medical institution pays an additional charge, itis provided with, for example, a magnetic card in which information onthe guarantee number for the additional charge is recorded by themeasurement instrument provider. Thereby, the medical institution canuse up the replaced column to the end.

[0042] Note here that in the embodiment of the present invention, anautomatic glycohemoglobin measurement instrument was mentioned. Thepresent invention is not necessarily limited to the automaticglycohemoglobin measurement instrument and can be applied to anymeasurement instruments including a glucose measurement instrument by anenzyme electrode method by a GOD fixation enzyme film and a hydrogenperoxide electrode, an automatic urine analyzer using a test paper, etc.

[0043] Furthermore, in the embodiment, an example in which the magneticcard 21 functions as a prepaid card provided by the measurementinstrument provider in return for the purchase charge was mentioned.However, the charge is not necessarily paid before the magnetic card 21starts to be used. The purchase charge may be paid over a deferred termas long as at least a purchase contract is signed up.

[0044] Furthermore, in the embodiment, as an information recordingmedium for recording information on the guarantee number ofmeasurements, the magnetic card was taken as an example. However, therecording medium is not necessarily limited to the magnetic card and anyother information recording media such as an IC card may be used.Furthermore, in the embodiment, the information on the guarantee numberof measurements read out from a magnetic card is stored in the guaranteenumber storage unit 31 inside the measurement instrument. However, byplacing the information recording medium in which information on theguarantee number of measurements is stored to the measurementinstrument, this information recording medium may be allowed to functionas a guarantee number storage unit 31. Alternatively, a configurationmay be employed in which the information on guarantee number ofmeasurements is sent from the server of the measurement instrumentprovider to the measurement instrument and an external communicationunit 6 writes the information on the guarantee number of measurements,which is received from the server, in the guarantee number storage unit31.

[0045] Furthermore, the information on the number of measurements or theinformation on an abnormality may be sent from the externalcommunication unit 6 to the server of the measurement instrument and atthe server of the measurement instrument provider, the information onthe remainder may be managed.

[0046] As mentioned above, according to the present invention, for auser of a measurement instrument, it is advantageous that the number ofmeasurements corresponding to the charge for using the instrument beincluded in the purchase price of reagents or consumables. Furthermore,even in the case where the user additionally purchases reagents orconsumables because reagents or consumables become unusable beforereaching the assumed numbers, it is possible to use the remainderwithout waste, avoiding the loss for the user.

[0047] Industrial Applicability

[0048] The present invention can provide a measurement instrumentcapable of selling the number of measurements and managing the number ofsales instead of the conventional method of selling reagents orconsumables at the price including the lease charge in addition to theprice of the specimen examination instrument.

1. A measurement instrument, comprising: a guarantee number storage unitfor storing a guarantee number of measurements issued in accordance witha charge of reagents or consumables purchased or contracted to purchase;a measurements number storage unit for storing a number of executedmeasurements; a remainder storage unit for storing a value, as aremainder, obtained by subtracting the number of measurements stored inthe measurements number storage unit from the guarantee number ofmeasurements stored in the guarantee number storage unit; and an updaterequest unit for outputting a request to update the guarantee number ofmeasurements when it is detected that the remainder stored in theremainder storage unit reaches a predetermined value.
 2. The measurementinstrument according to claim 1, further comprising a replacementrequest unit for outputting a replacement request for replacement ofreagents or consumables when an abnormality caused by the reagents orconsumables is detected.
 3. The measurement instrument according toclaim 2, which is connected to an information processing device of aprocurement source of the reagents or consumables via a communicationline, and the replacement request is sent to the information processingdevice via the communication line.
 4. The measurement instrumentaccording to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a lifetimepredicting unit for predicting the number of possible measurements bythe replaced reagents or consumables when reagents or consumables arereplaced after the replacement request unit outputs the replacementrequest; and an update necessity judging unit for judging whether or notthe guarantee number of measurements is necessary to be updated bycomparing the number of possible measurements predicted by the lifetimepredicting unit with the remainder stored in the remainder storage unit,and outputting the update request to update the guarantee number ofmeasurements when it is judged that update is necessary.
 5. Themeasurement instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 4, whereinthe guarantee number storage unit is a memory for storing the guaranteenumber of measurements read out from an information recording medium inwhich the guarantee number of measurements issued in accordance with thecharge of reagents or consumables purchased or contracted to purchase.6. The measurement instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 4,wherein as the guarantee number storage unit, a measurement instrument,in which the guarantee number of measurements issued in accordance withthe charge of reagents or consumables purchased or contracted topurchase and which can be attached/detached to/from the measurementinstrument, is used.
 7. The measurement instrument according to any oneof claims 1 to 4, wherein the guarantee number storage unit is a memoryfor storing the guarantee number of measurements via a communicationmedium from the external instrument, and the guarantee number ofmeasurements is issued in accordance with a charge of reagents orconsumables purchased or contracted to purchase.
 8. A method for billinga user of a measurement instrument, the method comprising: issuing aguarantee number of measurements in accordance with the charge ofreagents or consumables purchased or contacted to purchase, and allowingthe issued guarantee number of measurements to be stored in themeasurement instrument; allowing a value obtained by subtracting thenumber of measurements executed by the measurement instrument from theguarantee number of measurements as a remainder to be stored in themeasurement instrument; and outputting the request to update theguarantee number of measurements when the remainder reaches thepredetermined value.